I’m about half-way through, and hoping and praying for the opportunity to devote time to finishing 423 Apprehensive Avenue soon.

For Em’s 14th birthday–which she spent in the hospital–I spent time redecorating her bedroom. Staying with her outside of visiting hours was not an option, which I found very hard to tolerate, so since she wanted her room re-done I threw myself into that. She wanted all pink and white, and it’s gorgeous. It was ready and waiting when she was released. But, then, she was readmitted. So I painted and redid her bathroom. I had lots of time left afterward, and it’s a pity I couldn’t focus on writing–but I couldn’t. Since that was an absolute impossibility, I needed another project to occupy me. Gemma told Will that denial is sanity’s best friend, and maybe that’s true sometimes. In my experience, “pray with thanksgiving” is the way to stave off anxiety, and hard manual labor is the way to channel adrenalin and take captive those thoughts that are so determined to race when there’s no place to go. Focusing on getting paint on the walls and keeping it off the carpet and baseboard is good for that. Seeing one color disappear as another takes its place is somehow cathartic, at least it is to me, just as it was for Will when he painted over the Dusty Rose that dominated his house. Speaking of Will, I kept thinking how nice it is for him that he has a designated writing room. At 715 he does, anyway. He no longer sits at his kitchen table to write, and I began to wonder why I was sitting on the couch in the living room when there was a perfectly good little room upstairs, with an arched window looking out on a view of pine and oak branches. Not to mention the many birds that hang out there, and the occasional squirrel. Brad’s weight set was one obstacle, but the room had too much potential to let that get in the way. Not that it was easy to get it out of the way. It took about half an hour to think it through and figure out how to take the fewest pieces off the thing to get it through the door without actually dismantling the pulley system. It was quite a puzzle, because it’s a huge piece of equipment, but thanks to thinking it over first and four sliding-thingies to put under the largest section, I managed to get it out the door and into what was once the game room. Not a game room like Alex Mitchell and his sister Lexi had in Hiding Treasure, of course. But, a big open room that once housed a big screen TV, a wii, and an x-box, and which no longer had a purpose. I very thoughtfully put the weight set back together for him, and so far it hasn’t fallen apart so I guess I did a decent job. I’m kidding, of course I did a decent job. If anything needs put together, I’m the one that does it. Now Brad has a huge exercise room with space for more equipment, which he’s having fun considering. And I, have a writing room.

I love this space, and so does everyone else. Brad thought Indy had arthritis and couldn’t get up the stairs anymore, since he never did. But no. I’m not saying he isn’t stiff when he lies still for lengthy periods, because he is. He’s also ten years old. But, it wasn’t arthritis that kept him downstairs. He just didn’t have a reason to make the climb, apparently. This room however, is worth coming upstairs for. Certainly I think it is, after all, it’s very pink! I never expected that to motivate the dog, though. I did  wonder what the animals would think of the electric fireplace. It functions as a space heater, or will whenever it’s cold enough to need one. In the meantime, it just looks really cool. Or warm, actually. It’s an acceptable substitute for the real thing judging by how many times Indy, Pandy, and Star have been discovered lounging in front of it. They’re funny, and I’m glad they like this room. Pets and other animals frequently appear in my books, so it’s only right that some of the objects of my inspiration hang out here with me while I write. Brad likes the room too, and when he’s home, he’s also a regular visitor. It makes for frequent interruptions, but I’m glad everyone sees this as a peaceful place to relax. I love studying my Bible in here every morning, and the couch is a great place to sit and proofread. Or just plain read. I spent part of the weekend there, refreshing my memory and taking notes on 715 and 601. What a pity it would be to give Miss Helene, previous owner of 715, a new last name when she already has one. I couldn’t remember if she did or not, but she does, and I don’t want to do like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle did in giving Watson’s wife two different names. “What was that woman’s name? Martha? Or was it Mary? It started with an M, I remember that much!” It’s so easy to do though, especially with names. Reginald was re-dubbed Roderick in 423, until much to my surprise I discovered that isn’t his name after all. I’ve had too much on my mind to hold onto everything, and that character was dead and gone long before I wrote the book anyway, so I don’t feel too badly. The same for Miss Helene, but for the sake of consistency I’m thankful to know her last name is Baker, and his first is Reginald. Mr. Rosalie’s first name is Albert, Mr. Tanner’s is Hiram, and Miss Amelia’s husband is Joe. I had to re-visit Terms of Engagement, for that one. The Rosalies drive a Buick, the Tanner’s an Oldsmobile, and Joe and Miss Amelia a Lincoln. Sam drives an olive green truck with Legendary Landscapes painted on the side, and the county assessor doesn’t keep an online record of Eerie property owners. Some of the names of Eerie’s streets are Sinister Circle, Creepy Court, Horror Lane, Ghost Glade, Ghoul Glen, Chiller Street, Apprehensive Avenue, Mystery Lane, Suspense Street, Psycho Path, Spook Street, Spectre Hollow, Spook Lane, and Spook Street. All of that is important, as is the placement of the businesses along Apprehensive Avenue. And so, it was good that I took notes, because I’ve already forgotten most of that! But it’s written down, so it’s okay.

Dinner is done, and Brad’s lunch is packed for tomorrow. Em is taking a nap, and I think Brad is too. They’re both quiet, anyway. Indy is asleep on one side of the room, Star on the other, and Pandy is curled up in bed with Em. So, I’m going to get back to reading over the first half of 423 Apprehensive Avenue, and then get back to writing the rest of it!